Sheriff#039;s deputy stationed at Symmes Valley

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 13, 2004

AID - The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office is providing a deputy to Symmes Valley High School until further notice in response to parents' concern about simmering tension between two groups of students.

"No one knows how it all started. What started this, we don't know, but we've been aware of it since mid- to late-February," Symmes Valley Superintendent Tom Ben said. "The high school principal has been dealing with it and he has had numerous conversations with parents from both groups."

One mother who asked that neither she nor her child be identified told The Ironton Tribune that a group of students under the age of 18

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has been trying to pick fights with seniors who are already 18 years of age, knowing that the 18-year-olds cannot fight back against a minor. The mother said her son was sent to the alternative school recently after one of the underclassmen pushed her son and he became angry and pushed back.

"My son had not done anything to them," the mother said.

"I think they (school officials)

need to remove them (the group of underclassmen) from the school."

The mother said she thought school officials had not been forceful enough in dealing with what she called the troublemaking kids.

Ben estimates that some 18 students were directly involved in the situation, and that most of the

negative interaction between the students has taken place off school grounds, usually on the weekends. Ben said no major incidents have taken place on school grounds and "both groups have been picking on each other."

Sheriff

Tim Sexton said school officials requested that a deputy be stationed at the school at least one day last week, and would be there this week. He said that his office would provide the assistance "each day they ask for it."

The deputy on duty varies each day. Sexton said the assignment is handled as a special detail and officers may sign up for the job at the school and stay for the duration of the school day.

Ben said he was disappointed with negative publicity about the student tension because it tended to put all Symmes Valley students under one umbrella, even though only a small number of students is actually involved in the matter.

"I'm not trying to downplay this. I think we're on top of it," Ben said. "It's sensitive. It don't want it to become any more volatile. Mr. (Tom) Bartee has spoken to a number of students and parents throughout the course of this. There is frustration on all levels."

The sheriff's office also provides occasional walk-throughs at Fairland High School, meaning a deputy will stop by the school from time to time throughout the day and walk through the halls and around the campus. Sexton said the deputy's presence is meant to discourage trespassing, and other negative activity.